Flat Top dam
Flat Top
Flat Top is a historic dam located in Routt, Colorado, with a primary purpose of irrigation. Built in 1915, this earth dam stands at 21 feet in height and spans 275 feet in length, providing a maximum storage capacity of 179 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Butler Creek-TR, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond maintenance, showcasing its versatility in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by a private owner, Flat Top is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, ensuring that the dam meets state inspection, permitting, and enforcement requirements. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam poses a moderate risk level, indicating the need for ongoing risk management measures. With a spillway width of 6 feet and a controlled maximum discharge of 243 cubic feet per second, Flat Top exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
As one of the key structures in the area, Flat Top plays a vital role in water allocation and distribution for agricultural and ecological needs. Its location near Craig, Colorado, underscores its importance in maintaining water security and sustainability for the local community. With a rich history dating back over a century, Flat Top stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of water infrastructure in the face of evolving climate challenges, providing a glimpse into the intricate balance between human needs and natural resources.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Flat Top -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Above Elkhead Creek Near Hayden | 2,340 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Near Craig | 113 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Craig | 2,510 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Above Long Gulch | 161 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 14 cfs | → |
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 650 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Flat Top.
Boat launches
- Us 40 Routt County
- Pebble Beach Boat Ramp
- Moffat County
- Uncompahgre Road Routt County
- West Duffy Mountain Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Vaughn Lake
- Ripple Creek Pass
- Trout Creek
- Sheriff Reservoir Campground
- Trout Creek Recreation Area
- Sheriffs Reservoir
Fishing spots
- Crosho Lake
- Lake Of The Woods
- Craig City Ponds
- Craig Justice Center Ponds
- Trappers Lake
- Bear Lake Fishing Pier
Paddle runs
- Pumphouse To Double Bridges
- Yampa River Segment 1
- Yampa River Segment 2
- Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary
- Lower Fish Creek
More reservoirs
Track Flat Top in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Flat Top
Where does the data for Flat Top come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Flat Top.